It is not every day a quilt finds its way from North Pole, Alaska but this one did. Of course it started its excursion last September (2012) but a newborn took precedence. It finally started its overland journey in early April & just arrived safe and sound.

I will also be attaching the binding for Misty to finish.

This quilt will belong to Misty's daughter, 11 year old Honor, who is watching the BLOG today.

Sep 09, 2012: Misty found my website and contacted me. I responded but that was the end of our conversation until recently.Apr 10 or so: Quilt was shipped with expected 2-3 weeks to get here.Apr 30: Still heard nothing back after several emails (spam monster got 'em). Fortunately, I had a phone number so I left a message over the weekend. Got a call yesterday & now the email will flow. We hope.May 01: The quilt and backing arrived safe and sound even without plastic wrap. Whew!May 02: I will be making & attaching the binding from some black fabric I just got in. Very glad I ordered extra. It is nice when it just so happens happens.May 04: IQ programmed. Back & front are prepped ready to load. Thread is loaded & tension is adjusted. Using high sheen variegated red-blue-green-yellow Rainbows #813 Tapestry on top with black on back.May 05: Pinning/Loading. Loaded, basted & ready to quilt. Quilting.

I just reread the Longarm Setup Process posted on the PREPARATION page. A lot has changed but the steps in the process are essentially the same. I now pay a little extra to buy Warm & Natural folded on the bolt because 45" is easier to handle than 90". I also float rather than pin & roll the top. I find I no longer have all those issues with borders. Float means I lay the quilt top over the batting and baste the top edge & sides as I go but I leave the bottom edge free. When you see fabric hanging down in front, the top is floating. If you only see batting, I pinned and rolled it. Many times I start pinned and then free the bottom several rows down when the borders start to be an issue. It works wonders. I only have to be sure to align the center of the quilt top with the center of the canvas I am not using otherwise. I also do the programming well before loading.

I am having fun playing with layout options. After a busy morning, I finally got into it.

Reply

Misty

5/5/2013 02:36:22 am

LOVE seeing the pattern overlaid on the quilt top diagram! It is going to look great!! You're a master, Linda!

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Linda

5/5/2013 02:38:37 am

Had to do that just for Honor.

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Terrie

5/5/2013 05:25:22 am

I love the mouse panto you chose. This quilt is just too charming!

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Linda

5/5/2013 05:42:55 am

I never choose but I did find it. I like my modification too but still did not choose it. I am having so much fun today!!

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Misty

5/5/2013 05:44:51 am

This is GORGEOUS! Thanks so much, Linda! We're thrilled with this pattern. :-)

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Linda

5/5/2013 06:29:12 am

I get the feeling I am being watched & I love it!! Going to take a meal break but will be back soon.

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Misty

5/5/2013 07:34:53 am

You are being watched! We're fascinated by the process and just ecstatic with how it's turning out. We love your updates, but certainly don't feel pressured by our peeking. :-)

Misty

5/5/2013 01:36:23 pm

The stitching is exactly as I wanted it: flowing, with enough space to ensure some loft. I also like that the pattern is round, which I think is a lovely contrast to the boxiness of the blocks. Again, we love the pictures!

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Misty

5/5/2013 03:22:01 pm

Seeing this come together has me dragging out my half dozen nearly-finished quilt tops to send to you, Linda. And even thinking about a new one, based on a quilting pattern on here. I'll talk to you more about those after this one hits Honor's bed! With 5 kids, 3 of whom I homeschool, and a new baby, I'd just all but given up on quilting. But seeing this beautiful finish has galvanized me and made me realize that I don't need to labor over the quilting process when my true creative love is piecing. It's been great fun to choose and create the mouse pattern used here, but I've enjoyed it precisely because you've taken the tedious part out of finishing the quilt. I'm so excited to think about getting back into quilting, now with a way to actually complete the works for my loved ones without getting bogged down by the "finish work" of quilting them. Thanks for opening up this new way of thinking for me.

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Linda

5/6/2013 01:13:11 am

My heart is truly singing to hear this! WIth all your quilts made from such a heart, your Alaskan home will be warmer South America !! Please give me a call when you are up & at it.

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Misty

5/6/2013 03:18:12 am

LOVE the video!! Thank you for putting it up. I can definitely see what you mean about having the flat seams and how you risk having the quilt tear.

I will give you a call as soon as the family chaos settles down today. :) I love the tip you sent via email about putting the moleskin down to ensure more consistent seams. I had no idea there was any difference in thread thickness, other than that hand-quilting thread was thicker and stronger.

I love learning more about the craft, so feel free to send any more tips my way that will ensure my future quilts come to you ready to be loaded!

Reply

Linda

5/6/2013 03:23:29 am

I thought you would be open to this. The pictures are on the blog somewhere (LOL - even I can't find them) & lots of other tips & videos as I think of them when I think the piecer won't be offended. So far none are that I know of. I am most willing to remove anything from the blog anytime !!!!

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Misty

5/7/2013 01:40:47 am

We are FREAKING OUT here to see the quilting done!! It looks SPECTACULAR, Linda...so much better than anything I imagined when I contacted you. To think of the time I've wasted on wrestling quilts under my machine foot, for nothing but straight lines, when I could have THIS!

Very, very happy with the final result. Thank you so much for all the tweaking you did, first helping design the whimsical mice pattern and then fitting it so well across my wobbly quilt blocks. This has made me so excited about finishing the half dozen quilt tops I'd relegated to the closet because I just couldn't find space or time to quilt them.

Can't wait to show Honor when she gets up today!

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Misty

5/7/2013 01:43:07 am

And I'm looking forward to spending some time perusing the site for more great information. :-)